John Mooney
AGAINST THE WALL
Ruf Records 1389
visit John's website
and on myspace
also available on cd universe
John Mooney had the good fortune to know, study, and learn from one of the masters of the Delta Blues, Son House. He not only learned his lessons exceedingly well, but he developed such a strong foundation that he is able to carry on this endangered tradition adding his own interpolations that are virtually indistinguishable from the old tunes. He wrote or co-wrote all but one of the tunes on the disc. Inherent in the music of the Delta is a raw power that at times translates to a savagery. This man has it. He is one of the most savagely joyous guitarists I have ever had the pleasure of putting in the disc player and just spinning that volume knob to high position. The feral raw power of his playing fills the room and filters out to a place beyond. This disc is too short, but at the same time it is so intense that it does fulfill the listener. I will normally take off a star for a disc that is under 40 minutes, but this one is so filled with Mooney's passion for his music that it can only be compared to one of those thrill rides that takes only 30 seconds to run, but it leaves you feeling as if you've just been through a lifetime of thrill. He is playing here basically with a drummer and bass player that has become his more or less permanent band (plus an added person here or there). George G. Recile on drums and percussion, and Jeff Sarli on acoustic bass. To be frank I saw the man almost 2 years after this disc and his playing has gotten even better, and this trio even tighter. You should not miss a chance to see him because his stage show is phenomenal, and you can get a better idea of his power source when you see him. I am looking forward to a new release which I hear is in the works, but until that time I suggest you grab this one and his other disc that is solo effort (but no less savage or intense) called, DEALING WITH THE DEVIL, or call your travel agent and book a trip to New Orleans. This is a player that should not be missed. There are some people who must be seen to be experienced, this man is that in capital letters.
Songs, times, writers (all written by John Mooney unless noted) and musicians.
SACRED GROUND - 5:08 -
John Mooney - vocals and guitar
George G. Recile - drums and percussion
Tony Hall - bass
Bob Andrews - B3
DOGGONE THING - 3:45 -
John - vocals & guitar
George - drums and Percussion
Jeff Sarli - acoustic bass
SWEAT'N BONES - 3:51
John - vocals & guitar
George - drums and Percussion
Jeff - acoustic bass
Michael Ward - congas
BROKEN MOLD - 2:41
John - vocals & guitar
Carlo Nuccio drums
David Lee Watson - bass
Michael - Congas
LATE IN THE EVENING - 5:37
John - vocals & guitar
Jeff - acoustic bass
3 SIDES (2 EVERY STORY) - 3:18 - John Mooney/Gary Nicholson
John - vocals & guitar
Carlo - drums
David - bass
Bob Andrews - piano
George - percussion
THE BITTER PILL - 4:21 - Michelle Shocked
John - vocals & guitar
George - drums and Percussion
Tony - bass
U TOL'ME - 2:42
John - vocals & guitar
George - drums and Percussion
Jeff - bass
ONE STEP FORWARD - 3:05
John - vocals & guitar
George - drums and Percussion
Bob - B3
Michael - congas
SOMEBODY BEEN MISSING SOMEBODY (2 SONG) - 4:01 - John Mooney/Gary Nicholson
John - vocals & guitar
George - drums and Percussion 7 bass
Michael - congas
PRODUCED BY - Rob Fraboni